お願い
onegai
In Japanese, "pretty please" is expressed as お願い (onegai).
The phrase is used as an emphatic interjection to make commands more polite. To capture the 'pretty please' nuance of an emphatic, pleading interjection, one often uses a rising intonation or repeats the word.
Meaning: an emphatic interjection to make commands more polite (intj)
Which one should you use?
While お願い functions as "pretty please" in a pleading sense, お願いします is the standard polite way to say "please" when asking for a favor or service. The phrase お願いだから is an informal way to say "pretty please" that expresses a stronger desire and familiarity.
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the noun お願い alone without a verb is a common, informal way to say 'please' when pleading with friends or family.
How do you pronounce it?
onegai
Did you know?
- When making a 'pretty please' request, Japanese speakers may perform お願いポーズ, a gesture where they press their palms together in a prayer-like position.
- The word お願い is actually the noun form of the verb 願う, which means 'to wish' or 'to pray'. When you say 'pretty please', you are literally saying 'a wish' or 'a prayer' to the person you are asking.
- In Japanese media, characters often use the much cuter and more childish version おねがいっ with a small っ at the end to signal a truncated, pleading tone. This is a common way to portray a character acting 'spoiled' or incredibly endearing.
Examples in context
- 「お願いだから、一緒に行ってくれる？」Pretty please, will you come with me?
- 助けて、お願い！Tasukete, onegai!Help me, pretty please!
- どうしても、お願い！Doushitemo, onegai!I really, really need it, please!
Example conversation
A young man is asking his sister to help him with a difficult task.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵、ちょっと手伝って、お願い！Himari, chotto tetsudatte, onegai!Himari, please help me with this, pretty please!
- 陽葵 Himari今は忙しいよ。Ima wa isogashii yo.I'm busy right now.
- 陽太 Yotaすぐ終わるから、お願い！Sugu owaru kara, onegai!It will be over quickly, pretty please!
- 陽葵 Himariわかった、手伝ってあげる。Wakatta, tetsudatte ageru.Fine, I'll help you.
